During spring training, every team is confident about its chances, but then again, with players and front office types regurgitating cliches and hope, the talk can be easy to dismiss.

Roster makeup, age, recent history and quality of opposition usually tell a different story for teams expected to finish near the bottom of their divisions.

This spring, the Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies were talking resurgence, not easy sells to those outside those organizations. But as the season's third weekend begins, both clubs are division leaders and have double-digit wins.

Surprising Sox and Rox

The Red Sox (11-4) are doing it with really good pitching—their 2.69 team ERA and .209 opponents’ average lead the American League, and their 149 strikeouts are second.

Boston's rotation leads the league with a 2.32 ERA and 98 strikeouts. The bullpen had the second-lowest opponents’ average (.195) despite being bunched in the middle in ERA (3.43).

“Our pitching has been unbelievable,” second baseman Dustin Pedroia said.

But these are the Red Sox, who host the Kansas City Royals this weekend, so it’s not all happening on the bump. The offense is third in the AL with 75 runs, is fourth in on-base percentage and tied for fifth in OPS.

The Rockies have not pitched terribly well. If it weren’t for their bullpen’s 3.81 ERA in 52 innings (the third-most in the National League), their record might not be as good.

With pitching that mediocre, the offense has to do damage, and it is. The Rockies, who host the Arizona Diamondbacks starting Friday, led the league with 93 runs scored, 156 hits, a .297/.366/.499 line and .865 OPS. They also are second with 25 home runs.

Carlos Gonzalez, Dexter Fowler and Michael Cuddyer are major reasons why the offense has clicked. Gonzalez has a 1.222 OPS with four home runs; Fowler has a 1.084 OPS with seven homers, and Cuddyer is checking in with a 1.079 OPS and three homers.

Happy homecoming

Detroit Tigers right fielder Torii Hunter was a fan favorite in Anaheim for five seasons, producing on the field and always flashing a trademark smile.

Friday will mark his first trip to Angel Stadium since his not-so-sweet departure from the Los Angeles Angels. While Hunter and his former teammates will greet each other warmly, and the fans likely will welcome Hunter as well, the 37-year old doesn’t have as shiny a relationship with owner Arte Moreno.

After the Angels signed free agent Josh Hamilton to a $125 million contract, Hunter took to Twitter. “I was told money was tight but I guess Arte had money hidden under the mattress,” Hunter tweeted. “Business is business but don’t lie.”

He is off to a strong start this season, hitting .413/.439/.587 with a 1.027 OPS to go with a league-leading 26 hits. Those numbers could improve against an Angels’ pitching staff that has a league-worst 5.43 ERA.

Walking the walk

Cincinnati Reds MVP candidate Joey Votto has led the NL in OBP in each of the past three seasons and in walks the past two, and he is well on his way to repeating those feats this year.

Entering Thursday, Votto had walked a major league high 24 times as teams continue to pitch around him. That total is just two fewer than the entire Chicago White Sox roster. Those free passes have helped Votto post a ridiculous .526 OBP.

The problem is, Votto is paid to be a run producer, and there has been a heated debate in certain circles about whether Votto should expand his strike zone. He has one home run and three RBIs at this point, yet the Reds are just one behind the Rockies in runs.

Votto walked twice more Thursday in the Reds' series opener at home against the Miami Marlins. Miami's staff has allowed the third-most walks in the league.

Struggling sluggers

Adam Dunn, Ryan Braun and Matt Kemp have been among the game’s best power hitters in recent years, but they have not been so potent this season. Kemp’s struggles for the Los Angeles Dodgers have been documented; he has struck out nine times in his last 18 at-bats heading into LA's weekend road series with the Baltimore Orioles.

Braun homered Thursday while going 1-for-4 against the San Francisco Giants, but in his previous five games the Milwaukee Brewers' left fielder was 1-for-18 with 11 strikeouts.

The Brewers host the Chicago Cubs this weekend, and Braun will face Jeff Samardzija on Friday. Braun is 6-for-13 with a home run and three walks lifetime against Samardzija.

Dunn's .105/.164/.228 line with 20 strikeouts and three walks is proof of his struggles this season. He is 1-for-33 with 11 strikeouts in his last nine games. Things could get better this weekend against a soft Minnesota Twins pitching staff.

A Giant concern

After another ugly start from the rotation Thursday in Milwaukee, the Giants’ starters have a 5.07 ERA, tied for worst in the NL.

Matt Cain has not looked like an ace lately, allowing 18 runs (all earned) over his last 16 2/3 innings. That stretch includes one start in which he allowed two runs over seven innings. Ryan Vogelsong has a 5.89 ERA through three starts, and Tim Lincecum (5.63 ERA) still hasn’t solved his problems.

Barry Zito was solid in his first two starts, then was pounded in Milwaukee. He now has a 4.86 ERA. Only Madison Bumgarner (3-0, 1.77) has been consistent this month.

The Giants return home to pitcher-friendly AT&T Park this weekend to host the San Diego Padres, so it wouldn’t be a stunner if this rotation begins to right itself over the next three games.